History Spotlight: Part of centennial re-enactment not based in fact

Aug. 31, 2013

Written by

Catharine Hadley

Staff writer

In 1913, the centennial of the Battle of Lake Erie was celebrated in several American cities — but one part of the re-enactment was based on an advertisement, not reality.

In his book “The Building of Perry’s Fleet on Lake Erie, 1812-1813,” author Max Rosenberg described the celebration.

“As a main feature, the E.I du Pont de Nemours & Company re-enacted the ‘carrying of gunpowder to Perry’s fleet.’

A Conestoga wagon was loaded with gunpowder kegs and pulled by six horses from the company in Wilmington, De., to Erie, Pa. “Four cavalry men from the United States Army, dressed in 1813 uniforms, escorted the wagon for ‘protection.’”

Stops on the route included Philadelphia, Lancaster, Pittsburgh and Erie. “At each community along the route, celebrations were held and honor paid to the wagoners bringing the ‘powder to Perry.’

The re-enactment was a memorable and exciting thing, one of the high points in the summer-long commemoration.

“Unfortunately, the original of the re-enactment seems never to have taken place,” Rosenberg wrote.

No orders, correspondence, accounts or other types of records at the company could be found to substantiate the story of the powder train. “Nothing whatever could be found to prove any shipment of gunpowder to Perry,” the author wrote. He thought it was likely that the company had been approached, but was too busy filling other contracts.

“Basis for the 1913 journey was sought elsewhere. There is a well-known painting made by Howard Pyle in 1912. The title of the painting is ‘Carrying Gunpowder to Perry.’”

That painting shows two Conestoga wagons, one of which carried a sign reading “Du Pont Powder” on the side. “The painting was used in 1913 on calendars advertising Du Pont products.”